Has Michael Phelps Met His Match?

Whenever there’s a swimming competition, everybody looks out for Michael Phelps. I mean how can you not after his jaw-dropping performance in the Beijing Olympics 2008 where he snatched eight golds? Who would have thought that was possible? Not even Australia’s swimming sensation, Ian Thorpe believed it can be done. However, Michael Phelps proved everyone wrong when he swam for his eighth gold medal in the men’s 4×100 meter medley relay.

Three years later, in the 14th Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) World Championships in Shanghai, China 2011, many people got stunned after this took place:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twmGUfdFRQc&feature=related

Who is Ryan Lochte!? Where did he come from? How did he manage to surpass the man who took home a total of eight gold medals in the Beijing 2008 Olympics? Many people where shocked and stunned. Has Michael Phelps met his match in his US counterpart, Ryan Lochte? Does this mark the end of the “Era” of Michael Phelps in swimming? There are so many unanswered questions and many eager eyes looking forward to the London Olympics in 2012.

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Michael Phelps has always been somewhat of an overachiever. However, he has promised that his goal for the London 2012 Olympics will be a “very hard goal”. He has also mentioned that the London 2012 Olympics would be his last Games. What will we be expecting from him? I bet many people simply can’t wait to find out. Will he be able to accomplish the “hard goals” that he has set or will a new champion known as Ryan Lochte rise to overthrow Michael Phelps? What are your thoughts? Feel free to leave your comments below!